Radio configuration and control of computer subsystems

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method that employs radio communication to transfer information between modular components removably installed in a cabinet such as may be employed for storage systems. Radio signals may be confined to the interior of the cabinet. Other radio signals may communicate from the cabinet to external monitoring equipment. A radio transceiver and antenna are provided as part of each modular component. A master unit may enumerate components, determine type, model, versions of components and may monitor operating conditions that may comprise voltage, current, temperature, fan rotation rate, data throughput and other variables. The master unit may process acquired information, may store information, or may transfer information to another system for processing.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of in-cabinet communication in a cabinet based modular electronic system comprising: 
 removably installing at least two modules in said cabinet, each module having a radio transceiver and an antenna that is internal to said cabinet when said module is installed, wherein said cabinet limits radio signal emissions outside said cabinet;    designating one module of said at least two modules as a master module;    establishing a communication link between said master module and at least one other module in said cabinet; and    transferring information from said at least one other module to said master module.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said master module is a storage controller module.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one other module is a disk drive module.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one other module is a power supply module.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said information comprises temperature information.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said information comprises voltage information.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said information comprises fan operating information.  
     
     
         8 . A modular electronic system employing in-cabinet radio communication to communicate between modules comprising: 
 a controller module comprising a radio transceiver and antenna disposed in said cabinet wherein said antenna is internal to said cabinet, said cabinet limiting the transmission of radio signals external to said cabinet;    at least one other module comprising a second radio transceiver and second antenna disposed in said cabinet wherein said second antenna is internal to said cabinet; and    a software program operating on said controller module that allows said controller module to communicate with said at least one other module.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a power supply.  
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a second controller module.  
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said at least one other module comprises: 
 a disk drive module.  
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said at least one other module comprises: 
 an environmental services monitor module.  
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said radio transceiver has a transmitting power of less than two milliwatts.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said radio transceiver conforms to standards known as Bluetooth.  
     
     
         15 . A removably installable module for a modular electronic system employing in-cabinet radio communications comprising: 
 a housing for said module that allows said module to be removably inserted in said modular system cabinet;    a connector providing transfer of power between said module and said cabinet;    a radio transceiver disposed in said module;    an antenna attached to an external portion of said module housing wherein said antenna is internal to said cabinet when said housing is installed in said cabinet; and    a microprocessor that executes a software program that sends and receives data using said radio transceiver.    
     
     
         16 . The module of  claim 15  wherein said radio transceiver has a transmitting power of less than two milliwatts.  
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 15  wherein said radio transceiver conforms to standards known as Bluetooth.  
     
     
         18 . The module of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a disk drive.  
 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a power supply.  
 
     
     
         20 . The module of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a RAID controller.